Taking tennis to the west side

Boykins serving up instruction, values in summer police program.

Boykins serving up instruction, values in summer police program.

June 29, 2006|JIM MEENAN Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND Darryl Boykins remembers a boy from long ago who didn't even have enough money for new tennis shoes. The child would glue the bottoms on his shoes back together. Having enough money for a tennis racquet was naturally out of the question. Boykins never forgot that child. And so for the 11th year, Boykins, the uniform division chief of the South Bend Police Department, is running his free tennis program at the Washington High School courts. The instruction is Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and noon to 1:30 p.m. The camp runs through the first week of August. Racquets and balls are provided for use, thanks to Prince, the Professional Tennis Registry and Wal-Mart. Through the first week, the camp was averaging well over 30 participants a day. And they were enjoying it. "I like the teachers and how they teach you. They do it all their own special way," said Monica Chan, 12, who will be in seventh grade at LaSalle Intermediate Academy this fall. For Monica, it was her fourth year of being involved with the camp. She said this year she is learning how to strengthen her shot. She added she looks forward to the camp, where newcomers are still welcome. And she greatly appreciates the price tag ---- or lack of one. "You have a chance to improve your shots without ever paying," she said. "Some places they charge you a lot." One of the instructors employed at the camp is Luis Hernandez, a junior at Clay High School, a former camper himself. Hernandez, who this spring was part of the No. 2 doubles team at Clay, got his start in tennis at the camp. "I think it is really valuable because it's something to do in the summer," he said. "(The kids) get to get out of the house and meet new people and new friends." Plus, now for him, it's a summer job. Taking a brief break from instruction, Boykins surveyed the scene as calm and attentive campers hit balls to Hernandez and other leaders. "The goal is pretty much to keep the kids occupied," Boykins said. "We hand out fliers about learning how to get along with each other." In addition, a visit from the bookmobile is planned, he added, and the kids do get exercise and instruction. "When they come from this side of town, a lot of kids can't afford private lessons," said Boykins, a self-made tennis player. But through his program open to kids age 8 through adult, "by the time they get to high school, they got a little bit of the fundamentals down pretty good," he said. "Every once in a while one comes out that really shines and picks it up and really does it good and plays high school sports and stays with it," Boykins said. For Boykins, the camp has special meaning. "I get fun out of it," he said. "I think anytime you can give something back to somebody (it's good). Because I could not afford lessons when I came up." And Boykins does indeed remember the poor child with the dilapidated shoes. For that child was Darryl Boykins himself. Boykins didn't pick up the game until he was in his mid-20s. "I had to go to learn by hard knocks," he said. "Nobody told me the proper way to hit, so my development took a while." These days he's Professional Tennis Registry certified. And his resume includes coaching at Washington for six years and helping other high school programs. Now in his 50s, he's happy to bring a sport to minorities who they might not otherwise come in contact with. It's a sport they can play throughout their lives, he said. "We have a diverse group," he added. "We don't have any fights. Everybody gets along pretty good." And that sends another message. "We want to show that there are good kids in the city that come out and have fun and play," he said. "Nobody is fighting or jumping on each other. "We always focus on the bad kids, but there's a lot of good kids and good parents that come out."Staff writer Jim Meenan: jmeenan@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6342